Whereas issues haven’t gone the Bucs’ method in the course of the group’s most up-to-date stretch of video games, a win in opposition to the Giants has them as much as 5-6. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has had a profitable season operating the present beneath offensive coordinator Liam Coen, and with him directing the offense, the unit has been the fourth-highest scoring within the league at 28.1 factors a sport.
How has Mayfield constructed off final season to have a extra environment friendly 12 months in Tampa Bay, and what’s permitting him to achieve Coen’s scheme? Each of them mentioned this throughout Wednesday’s press conferences.
Baker Mayfield Is Taking part in To His Strengths And Getting The Ball Out In Rhythm
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and OC Liam Coen – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Baker Mayfield has taken his play up a notch in 2024.
On tempo to shatter the earlier career-highs he set final 12 months with the Bucs, Mayfield is having one other Professional Bowl-caliber season. By way of 11 video games, he has thrown for two,799 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
All of these numbers are spectacular, however one statistic stands out essentially the most – a 71.4% completion share. That may be a marked enchancment from his earlier better of 64.3% in 2023 and he has turn out to be a way more environment friendly passer than his days with the Browns.
How has he improved in Liam Coen’s offense, particularly in finishing a excessive quantity of his throws?
“, completion share is clearly the play calls and scheme, however belief with the receivers after which additionally, like I maintain saying to you guys, letting the protection dictate the place the ball must go,” Mayfield stated. “Not attempting to power issues, not attempting to do an excessive amount of, transfer via progressions, after which it goes again to verify downs and easy issues which might be simple throws that these guys are making explosive performs off of. It’s me simply trusting that and trusting the blokes that we now have, and we now have the appropriate group to try this.”
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA In the present day
Mayfield isn’t just getting the ball to his weapons on brief passes. Whereas a staple of the offense has been getting the ball to his weapons in house on fast hitters, he has operated Coen’s various offensive assault the place the ball has been unfold out everywhere in the subject.
“It’s simply understanding your personnel, understanding the man, proper?” Coen stated. “I imply he’s at his finest when he’s spinning the ball, when the ball is ready to come out on time and in rhythm. As a lot as we are able to do this with out simply throwing fast sport all day – that’s not what we’re attempting to get performed – we’re attempting to assault the protection as some ways as we are able to. It simply so occurs that getting the ball out of his palms shortly and getting individuals on the proper spots on the proper instances in house has been good for us.
“So, I feel it’s in all probability a mixture of [him] and Thad [Lewis], their work collectively, and our work collectively as a gaggle getting his ft, his thoughts and every thing, and his reads, on time. Then, additionally, simply taking part in to the man’s strengths.”
Baker Mayfield: “This Is The Most Balanced Offense I’ve Been In”
Bucs RB Bucky Irving and QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA In the present day
Baker Mayfield has thrived in Liam Coen’s scheme, permitting him to play to his strengths this season.
However Mayfield will not be the one one.
After having a dead-last speeding assault the previous two years, the run sport is now tenth within the league averaging 128.2 yards per sport because of the contributions of Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker behind an above-average offensive line.
Even after Mike Evans and Chris Godwin went down with accidents, the offense managed to remain afloat with inventive playcalling and methods to get everybody concerned. Mayfield has loved seeing the puzzle items match collectively, even when it takes a little bit power.
“That is essentially the most balanced offense I’ve been in, strictly – clearly, you discuss in regards to the scheme that we’ve introduced in and the way we’re executing the run sport now, after which simply the totally different personnel [packages] that we’ve been compelled to get into and be taught and develop in with the accidents that we’ve had,” Mayfield stated.
“It’s enjoyable to see. It’s enjoyable to see the totally different packages that we are able to have and the stuff that we are able to… , performs off of performs, nonetheless calling your bread and butter – the stuff that if it [isn’t broken] don’t repair it. However then, going from there, it’s a extremely balanced assault clearly. All people is taking part in effectively, 11 guys touching the ball – that’s large time so meaning no matter bundle we now have on the market, everyone can get the ball.”
After getting everybody concerned in opposition to the Giants, Baker Mayfield will look to take action once more beneath Liam Coen’s steering this Sunday in opposition to his previous coordinator and group in head coach Dave Canales and the Panthers.
